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NEW PRICE! Former AACA National First Prize winner in excellent condition. Gorgeous interior and excellent chrome throughout. Accessories include windshield visor and NOS fog lamps that have never been installed.
The two-tone Gunmetal Gray over Pearl Gray bodywork is period correct and was taken directly from the DeSoto color charts, although the trim tag says this particular sedan was originally plain old black. The paint appears to be single-stage enamel and there’s no metallic in the finish, so it looks great on the ‘40s shape without that cognitive dissonance that comes from modern sparkly paint on an old car. Long fenders that blend invisibly into the front doors were part of the 1942 redesign, along with the headlights fixed into place flanking the grille. It shows very few signs of use since it collected its awards, with only a few chips on some of the high-wear spots like the hood corners. Of particular note, the chrome on this car is outstanding. From the densely-populated grille to the spectacular hood ornament that remains incredibly crisp and sharp in its details, someone had to have invested a small fortune in either restoring perfect NOS pieces or having the chrome refinished.
New cushions under the upholstery were obviously installed when the car was restored and it remains firm and comfortable today with only very slight signs of stretching on the driver’s side. The woodgrained dash and garnish moldings are simply spectacular, done in a correct style with a slightly gray color that works quite well with the upholstery. All the gauges are fully functional with bright faces and crisp markings, and the engine-turned panel holding the auxiliary switches is brilliant. This DeSoto did not receive an optional radio, but it does carry a heater and defroster, both of which work well thanks to testing during our 35-degree photo shoot. Carpets show the correct weave and have been bound with matching gray vinyl, along with a set of custom-made floor mats for added protection. The trunk is also nicely finished with a correct rubber mat and full-sized spare, and you’ll be pleased to learn that the trunk has never been rusty or patched.
As the #2 brand under Chrysler, DeSoto received a slightly larger 236 cubic inch inline-six powerplant which was rated at 109 horsepower in 1946. The engine bay was obviously detailed for show when it was competing, but now it demonstrates a few signs of use, having been driven several thousand miles since then. But the silver paint on the block still looks great, the correct hoses and clamps are still in place, and the carburetor doesn’t get cranky, even in the cold. It starts quickly, idles remarkably smoothly, and bops around town easily, especially with the Fluid-Drive transmission that makes traffic easy, not a chore. The chassis is what you’d expect from a show car, completely clean and solid with all the systems being in top condition. Four matching steel wheels have been fitted with trim rings and hub caps, along with 7.60-15 Allstate wide whites of indeterminate age.
This car also includes an accessory external sun visor which has been painted to match the upper body color but never installed, so it’s in its original paper wrapper from the body shop. There’s also a pair of NOS DeSoto-logo fog lamps that are new in the box, as well as the usual manuals and brochures from the period.
A neat old car with a lot of charm and the care-free performance of a modern machine. If you’re looking for a no-hassles old car, want to find out what the hobby is about without a major investment, or simply love the fact that someone invested in a frame-off show-winning restoration of a DeSoto sedan, this is a wonderful choice. Everyone has a Ford or a Chevy, but finding one of these is a treat. Call today!
For more information and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
132194
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